Aid for alleviating varicose veins



United States Patent 3,474,780 AID FOR ALLEVIATING VARICOSE VEINS Dorine K. Fuchs, Paynesville, Minn., assignor of one-half to Rainer L. Weis, Paynesville, Minn. Filed Apr. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 630,117 Int. Cl. A61t 5/24, 5/28; A41c 9/04 U.S. Cl. 128-95 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the field of medical apparatus and more particularly to an aid for alleviating varicose veins of the female pelvic region.

One of the problems confronting the medical profession is that of controlling varicose veins, and particularly during the pregnancy period of women. Generally speaking, varicose veins are found in the superficial veins of the legs and lower abdomen or pelvic region and are generally described as being veins, arteries, or lymph vessels which are abnormally dilated or lengthened producing an abnormal swelling and tortuosity. During pregnancy, the problem is particularly acute in the pelvic region where the arteries and veins are also used to supply life to the fetus. In some cases, the problem of varicose veins localizes itself on the external genitalia and particularly the labia majora. These veins and arteries form an anastomosis with the superficial and deep external arteries of the region, and are generally enclosed in a rather dense sheath of areolar tissue. During pregnancy, the arteries become much enlarged, and their course, as well as that of their branches, become exceedingly sinuous and even spiral in nature. In fact, these areas may be likened to a sponge during pregnancy because of the many arteries and veins. It has also been found that another area which is subject to dilation and pain from the varicose condition is that above and to each side of the external genitalia.

Generally speaking, it apparently is presumed that since the pain appears to be caused by the pressure of the extended abdomen during pregnancy, that any additional pressure in these localized areas would cause more pain rather than reduce it. However, it has been found that when the pressure from the pad is applied to these localized areas through the use of a girdle which is generally elastic, but in any event has an elastic crotch, the result is that the pain is relieved. The pressure of the pad helps prevent the veins and arteries from dilating while allowing a proper flow through the vessels.

It is therefore a general object of my invention to provide an aid for alleviating varicose veins of the female pelvic region.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an aid for alleviating varicose veins of the female pelvic region which is used with a girdle and more particularly a maternity girdle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an aid for varicose veins of the female pelvic region which may be easily fitted to the wearer and held in place after being fitted.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an aid which may be made integral with an elastic girdle for alleviating varicose veins of the female pelvic region during pregnancy.

, 3,474,780 Patented Oct. 28, 1969 These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following descrip tion, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the aid to alleviate varicose veins shown in combination with a girdle;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a covering for the pad showing elastic bands for holding the same in place on the body; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the resilient pad and covering which form a part of the aid for alleviating varicose veins.

Referring generally to FIG. 3, there is shown a T-shaped pad 10 which is covered with a smooth finished fabric 11 such as rayon, nylon, or silk. Pad 10 is approximately 9" to 10" lon from the bottom of a stem portion 12 to the upper portion of a cross-bar member 13. The crossbar member is also approximately 9" to 10 in length, that is from one end of the cross-bar to the other. The width of the stern portion is approximately 2 /2" and the cross-bar width is approximately 3", that is from the upper to the lower confines of the cross-bar. The sponge rubber material is approximately to 1" in thickness. It will be understood of course that these dimensions may be varied to suit the needs of the particular wearer. The corner of covering 11 is broken away to show the pad 10 formed thereunder. It should be noted that every attempt should be made to keep the covering 11 wrinklefree to provide maximum comfort to the wearer.

In FIG. 2, there is shown a cover 14 which may be made of any soft pliable fabric, but preferably would be made from a soft absorbent fabric which is easily washable. Cover 14 also has a stem portion 15 that is adapted to snugly engage stem portion 12 and also has a crossbar portion 16 to snugly engage cross-bar 13 of the covering 11 and pad 10". An opening 17 is provided at the top of the cross-bar portion 16 so that the T-shaped pad may be slid or worked into the cover from this end. To finish off the cover, a flap portion 18 is folded over the end of pad 10 and cover 11 where it is tucked in and because of the resilient nature of the pad, remains in place. Of course if it is desirable, a zipper or other fastening means such as snaps may be used to close the end of the cover. An elastic band 20 is sewn into a seam 21 which runs up the side of the stem portion 15 and across the crossbar portion 16 of cover 14. The elastic band 21 extends between the stem end of cover 14 and the end of cross-bar 16. Another elastic band 22 is sewn into a seam 23 on the other side of the stem portion 15 and across the cross-bar portion 16 of cover 14. Elastic band 22 extends between the stem end of cover 14 and the end of cross-bar 16. The elastic bands 21 and 22 are arranged to engage the thigh and hip portion of the wearer as will be more clearly set forth in the description of fitting the aid.

It will be observed that the seams are formed on the sides of the stem member to prevent further discomfort to the wearer.

In order to supply the proper pressure needed to cooperate with pad 10 and its coverings, a girdle 25 is used which is provided with a rubber crotch portion 26. Of course the entire girdle may be formed from elastic material,but in any event, must contain a crotch portion 26 which is elastic, the crotch portion either being permanently secured to the girdle or detachable.

In fitting the pad to the wearer, the Wearers legs are extended through elastic straps or hands 20 and 21 and the pad is then held in place while the girdle is pulled over the pad. The cross-bar of the pad not only serves to apply a light pressure, produced through the elastic girdle 3 25, but also prevents the pad from slipping to the rear. Elastic straps 20 and 22 further aid in keeping the pad positioned so that it does not slip around and lose its effectiveness. When properly positioned, the cross-bar portion of the pad extends towards the hip bones of the wearer.

It should also be recognized that the bands 20 and 22 may be eliminated by providing convenient means for securing the pad and its covering to the girdle itself. This may be accomplished by using releasable fasteners such as snaps, or a zipper, or other suitable means. In fact, it may be found beneficial to mold or form the pad integrally with the girdle and provide the cover for placing over the pad during its use.

Through the use of the slight pressure provided by the pad, the dilation of the localized areas explained herein is reduced and the pain associated therewith is alleviated when worn with a girdle having an elastic body or at least having an elastic crotch portion.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An aid for alleviating varicose veins of the pelvic region of the female body comprising:

(a) a soft T-shaped resilient pad having the stem portion of the pad adapted to extend over the external genitalia in an upwardly and forwardly direction therefrom towards the waist and having the cross bar portion of the pad extending generally transverse to said stern portion, towards but not reaching, the hip bones of the wearer;

(b) and a girdle having a crotch portion secured thereto, said girdle being adapted to cooperatively engage said T-shaped pad and hold said stern portion against the external genitalia of the wearer while holding said cross-bar portion against the lower anterior pelvic region to apply a pressure against the body and prevent dilation of the vascular blood circulatory system in the external sheath of areolar tissue.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 including:

(c) releasable fastening means securing said T-shaped resilient pad within said girdle, at least one element of said means secured to said pad and at least one element of said means secured to said girdle.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said T-shaped pad includes:

((1) a fabric cover completely covering said T-shaped pad in a wrinkle-free manner and secured thereto. 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said T-shaped pad includes:

(e) a fabric cover completely covering said T-shaped pad in a Wrinkle-free manner with an access opening Cil formed across the top of the cover corresponding to the top of the cross-bar of the T-shaped pad.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 including:

(f) a pair of body engaging elastic bands secured between the cross-bar ends and the end of the stem portion of said fabric cover to properly secure the aid with respect to the girdle while the wearer is fitting the girdle over said pad and cover.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(g) said T-shaped pad is formed from a sponge rubber material approximately to l in thickness, and said girdle includes an elastic crotch portion.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said girdle is elastic and including:

(h) means integrally forming and securing said T- shaped pad within said elastic girdle.

8. An aid for alleviating varicose veins of the female body to be used in combination with a girdle comprising:

(a) a soft T-shaped resilient pad adapted to be secured in a girdle having a crotch portion, the stem portion of said pad being of length sufficient to extend over the external genitalia in an upwardly and forwardly direction therefrom towards the waist and having a width slightly larger than the girdle crotch portion, said pad further including a cross-bar portion having a width substantially the same as the stern portion and having a length extending transversely towards the hip bones of the wearer;

(b) a fabric cover completely covering said pad in a wrinkle-free manner;

(c) and a pair of body encircling elastic bands secured between the cross-bar ends and stem end of the fabric covering said T-shaped pad to properly secure the aid with respect to the girdle while the wearer is fitting the girdle over the aid.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein said fabric cover includes:

(d) an opening extending across the cross-bar portion to provide a means of removal and replacement of said pad;

(e) and a closure member cooperating with said opening in said fabric cover for closing said opening when said pad is inserted in said fabric cover.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 818,888 4/1906 Hovey et a1. l28100 1,082,153 12/1913 Dunn l28-98 3,091,238 5/1963 De Bogory 128100 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 128100, 524 

